I have to attend a welcome reception on Thursday. Where I will have to meet potential clients. I have to look fabulous, attract attention and look approachable and professional at the same time. What is appropriate to wear?

This will depend on your age, height, clothing size and the industry that you are in. We’d be happy to help with a little more info.

I usually shop at Ann Taylor Loft for work apparel and their clothes tend to fit me well. I am attending a conference in Denver in a couple of weeks (April) and know it will be much cooler there than here (southern ca). All of the stores, esp. my fav...the Loft...have only their new spring arrivals and a few winter choices on the sale racks...hard to find something I like in the right size on the sale racks...a lot of XXL on the sale racks. I need some ideas on what to wear on this business trip to look classy, put together, professional, yet comfy/casual. I am at a loss for what outfits to wear and where to shop for them. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I am a size 4-6 depending on the cut, and my shape is sort of hour glass (I am sure you have another name for the shape, but I just joined so am not familiar with the lingo). Thanks.

This is probably too much of a tall order, but I have a two-week trip to Paris coming up this summer (late July/early August) and I would love suggestions on what to wear/pack. Even though it's a two-week long trip, I'd like to keep the luggage as minimal as possible. I want a mix-and-match wardrobe!

One particular challenge I have is finding the right bag to bring. I definetly know I want a shoulder bag. Not too big, since I'll have to lug it all day long - something mid-sized, that can fit my camera, wallet, and probably maps. (Yes I will probably also bring a second bag, like a clutch, for dressing up at night... but TWO bags are my absolute limit).

Here's what I have in my closet that I'm debating about bringing or building a trip wardrobe off of:

1) It all starts with the shoes: I have comfy Theory flat sandals in nude patent leather... I also have Cole Haan Air Nike black sandals that are dressy and easy to walk everywhere in. But, they need some TLC from a cobbler since I wore them to death last summer. It's sooo hard to find comfy but stylish shoes, please don't recommend I find a different pair than these two choices. It's going to be one or the other.

I also plan on taking one pair of stylish sneaker-ish shoes and one pair of heels. The color of those will depend on the rest of what I pack...

2) Dresses: tend to be hard to fit on me. I have to look far and wide and try on everything. I do not, as a rule, wear anything strapless or with spaghetti straps. I need more support than that. Currently I have three choices in my closet that are possibilities:

- I have a brown sleeveless knit v-neck dress. It's from the GAP... and it is instantly slimming dress on me. It is a very easy dress to wear and can be dressed up or down. I may even wear this on the plane with a cardigan because it's so darn comfy.

- Somewhat dressier brown sleeveless dress from Anthropologie, in a crisper cotton fabric with fuller, knee-length skirt. This is like the perfect LBD, except it's brown, not black!! This dress definetly says "Paris" to me.

- A cute summer dress, sleeveless, V-neck, knee-length, in a plaid pattern of white, blue, yellow, pink .. from H&M. It's a fun dress and definetly going in my luggage.

3) Skirts: I live in skirts in the summer, and have numerous to choose from, including:

- Two knee-length cotton skirts with patterns: one is white background with navy blue and black; the other is white background with black floral pattern.

-I also have flowy eyelet skirts in white, black, and khaki (these are my go-to skirts for casual summer wear)

4) Bermuda shorts... I have these already in denim, blue & white seersucker, khaki, and white. The seersucker ones are the most dressy. White is great for summer, but when site-seeing and traveling on public transportation, I worry it's not the best choice to bring.

5) cardigans/shrugs in summer weight: I have already, in black, beige, and white

So I have a lot of basic pieces already, from which I can build a two-week mix-and-match wardrobe.

I think I need to decide first and foremost on a color scheme!! I definetly know I want to bring the brown Anthropologie "LBD" dress. So I could pick a theme revolving around khaki skirts and shorts to make it simple. But that seems blah to me...

So I'm also leaning towards a theme of white, navy, and black... with maybe a yellow or orange for a pop of color.... such as the bag... or a few tops...

*TORN*

Suggestions?

Hi shiny, I really like the white/navy/black theme. In addition to yellow and orange, you could also throw in some greens for tops or accessories. Or fuchsia, if you like that color (I like it a lot and think it looks great with navy and black).

But definitely still bring the "brown LBD" dress for evenings. Since it's one piece, and you won't even need a wrap (it's gonna be hot in Paris in August), this shouldn't really conflict with sticking to the daytime white/navy/black theme for everything else, as long as your going-out clutch works with the dress.

I personally love dresses, and if you feel comfortable in them, I'd bring them all, since you'd definitely look stylish on your sight-seeing tours. And I favor skirts over bermudas, but of course that's personal taste. It does sound that both of your patterned skirts would work great with the color theme.

I don't think you'll need a lot in terms of cardigans and shrugs, one or two at most.

Thanks Antje!

I also much prefer skirts to bermudas. But I've been loving the volume trend lately, and have several volumonous tops that work well with bermudas, so I will probably bring one or two pairs.

And yes, I happen to have a clutch in green. "The" green of this season. I think it will work well with the brown dress and the two skirts.

Which do you think is the better approach:

1) keep the tops neutral (white, navy, black) and choose a handbag and accessories for day that are in a bright color like yellow, orange, green or fuschia;

2) go with bright colored tops and keep the handbag neutral, for example, to coordinate with the nude sandals? I do have an Ergo Coach bag in a neutral tan that would work, and that I find is perfect to carry when traveling.

However, for some reason, my heart is heading for option #1... maybe that's just an excuse to splurge on a mustard yellow or orange bag?? Hee hee.

I think you should go with your instinct and buy a bright bag if that makes you happy. I also think that with your black and white skirt, you can wear a bright top AND a bright bag (but not in the same color).
I forgot to comment on shoes. You might want to consider leaving the sneaker-style shoes at home and bringing both pairs of sandals instead. The chance that it's going to be warm and you'll want to wear open shoes is pretty high I'd say. (Of course, you might curse me later if it happens to be cold and rainy after all...)

I'm going to a comedy show at Carnagie Hall in early November. I have a great pair of Cole Haan black leather calf boots; not sure if I should dress them up (with a dress or skirt) or dress down (with skinny jeans)??

Start a new thread, Stacy. You'll get more traffic!

mm!!

I AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT I CAN WEAR TO DOWN PLAY MY BIG HIPS AND THIGHS? WHAT WILL MAKE ME LOOK SLIMMER? I AM MORE OF A BOTTLE SHAPE AND I AM 5'5" TALL. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS CONNIE LEE

Hi Connie and welcome! If you start a new thread you would get many more responses. Posting a photo of yourself ( you can cover your face if you want) helps a lot as well.

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You may have a try.

i am married to a pastor who will be celebrating 40yrs of pastoring 06/28/2009 he's wearing a black tuxedo.what should i wear?i have very small legs so it must be long.i am medium dark brown complexion,5"4 bust 36ddd, waist 35 hips 44

Bbrooks. Try posting your request on a new thread. Just press on the blue speak up button to do this. Also tell us what sort of event the celebration will be.